Warrior Stories from Dakota Territory in the late 1800’s

Post under construction Excerpts from documents prepared by Major A. B. Welch, most of which are as a result of his one-on-one meetings with Indian Warriors who were born slightly before 1800’s mid-century.   Welch was raised on a homestead near Armour, SD, in the 1870’s. Became a friend of the Indian early in life. Adopted by the Sioux (and 2500+ other tribesmen) in 1913. Served in Philippines Insurrection, Mexican Border War and Trenches of France in 1918. Trusted by his old warrior Indian friends who told him stories that they might not tell a white man. Although he understood some of their languages he usually had an interpreter with him during these meetings. Col. Welch is the great uncle of Everett (Bob) Cox who has worked on these papers...

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European Postcard Scenes 1918 France and Belgium

This site is under construction as of June 17, 2018 European Postcard Scenes 1918….France and Belgium From the Collection of Colonel  A. B. Welch, 1874-1945 Edited by Everett R. Cox Welch Book #45 The Story behind these old Postcards Photo looks like it was taken in 1918 on the Riviera.  Welch seems ‘well fed,’ so maybe taken  after the war.  In addition to the postcards written to home he also may have had a special relationship with a “Riviera Madamoseille” (see Vallauris). His diary of this time is very terse, mentioning only the name of the town he was visiting (he seems to have bought postcards at each of these towns). His main activity was as Commander, Horsed Battalion of the 3rd Army, supplying thousands of horses to the...

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Welch takes 35 Indian Friends to the 1940 Minneapolis Aquatennial

  General Chairman of Aquatennial writes to Welch June 22nd 1940   Noel Van Tilburg letter of June 27th acknowledging receipt of signed contract   Van Tilburg letter of July 1st discussing village set-up   Van Tilburg sketch of July 1st discussing village set-up, pg 2   Welch response of July 4th to Van Tilburg letter of  July 1st   Van Tilburg letter of July 16th advising on Beef and Payment   Welch directions to his Indian Travellers Mato Watakpe (A. B. Welch) will head the company to Minneapolis. We will camp together in a city park. Food and transportation will be arranged for by Colonel Welch.      WE WILL LEAVE MANDAN in our own special car on the 19th of July, at 4:15 in the afternoon (Mandan...

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The First and Last Indian Campaigns in the Dakotas

          Chief Bears Arm shaking hands with Lt. Col. Welch (“Charging Bear”). Drags Wolf in center.             THIRD SECTION THE SIOUX CAMPAIGN IN THE DAKOTAS, 1890-91. The last Indian war in the United States  There is nothing to be added to what has already been threshed over and over from one point of view or another and by hundreds of writers, regarding the advance of civilization west of the Mississippi.  Hundreds of fights or more or less importance have taken place between the representatives at Washington and the western Indians.  Thousands of lives have been taken, both white and red.  Helpless women and children have been murdered and their scalps have been...

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Year 1876 U. S. Army Letters. Sherman and his Generals correspond before and after The Little Big Horn Fight

General of the Army, William Tecumseh Sherman instructs his generals in Dakota Territory and Wyoming from his headquarters in St. Paul.  Prior to the Little Big Horn Battle they were checking on whereabouts of Sitting Bull and other wandering Tribes.   After the Little Big Horn Battle their letters indicate their frustration in locating the aforementioned Sitting Bull.   Copied from Micro Spool No. 234, Roll No. 847, 1876       From the collection of Major A. B. Welch – 1874-1945 Written by Everett R. Cox, his grandnephew Welch Book #14a       Background on this old roll of film I acquired my Great Uncle’s “Indian” collection in the late 1950’s.  It consisted of a steamer-trunk loaded with artifacts and over 4,000...

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Year 1876 at Standing Rock. Letters & Interviews before and after the Little Big Horn Battle

An interesting view of the Standing Rock Reservation in 1876 (mainly through the eyes of the white man).   Some very conflicting verbal battles between the Army, stationed at Fort Yates, and the Indian Agents of Standing Rock. Insight into life on the reservation before and immediately after the Little Big Horn Battle including interesting comments by Mad Bear, Big Head, Red Bull, Wolf Necklace of the Upper and Lower Yanktonais, John Grass and Running Antelope of the Blackfeet and Uncpapa, and lengthy interviews with Kill Eagle.     Copied from Micro Spool No. 234, Roll No. 847, 1876     From the collection of Major A. B. Welch – 1874-1945 Written by Everett R. Cox, his grandnephew Welch Book #14b   Background on this old roll...

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Welcome to Col. A. B. Welch Dakota Papers

Welch Dakota Papers consists of several thousand pages of personal interviews, writings, newspaper clippings, and photographs, many dealing with  mid to late 1800’s Oral Histories of the Sioux, Arikara, Hidatsa and Mandan Tribes.  All From the Collection of Col. A. B. Welch (1874-1945). On the left-use the Master Index to get an overview of this website’s content.  On the right hand side of the website are all the categories developed from over 50 years of researching and indexing Col. A. B. Welch’s collection.   Edited and published by:  Everett Cox, nephew of Col. Welch, and Catherine Cox-Rivers.

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